Summary

In this activity, students are introduced to impact processes in a study of Meteor Crater in northern Arizona. They are guided in the use of a set of relatively simple formulas from physics to estimate the energy of impact and the size of the impactor that formed the crater.

Learning Goals

Use relatively simple formulas from physics to estimate the size of the meteorite that formed Meteor Crater in Arizona:

Use a formula relating kinetic energy and diameter of the crater to find kinetic energy released on impact;

Use the formula relating KE and mass to find the mass of the meteorite;

Use a formula relating mass, volume, and density to find the volume of the meteorite;

Use a formula relating spherical volume to radius to find the diameter of the meteorite.

Mathematical Skills

Use basic algebra.

Solve simple equations.

Context for Use

This activity consists of a set of quantitative problem-solving exercises that can be used as an in-class activity or an assignment in any introductory course with a unit on impact processes or impact events, such as:

Description and Teaching Materials

Teaching Notes and Tips

An Instructor's Guide to all Kéyah Math activities is available online from the Instructor Resources page on the Kéyah Math website.

Assessment

Students record their work and answers in a word-processor document or a notebook, which can be submitted to the instructor for assessment. Solutions to these problems are available online from the Instructor Resources page on the Kéyah Math website.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant GEO-0355224. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.